He sees the provision in the bill allowing electric cooperatives to expand into broadband as an endorsement of the service electric cooperatives provide, especially considering that his group didnt spearhead the bill. Of the $89.1 million in grants announced Monday, $19.3 million will support the broadband deployment efforts of three electric cooperatives: Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative received seven grants . Crystal Broadband Networks General Manager Fareed Saghir said the project will "transform the lives of thousands of people . Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation was awarded a grant of $2.396 million to construct a 47.5-milefiber-to-the-premises networkin Primrose, Kentucky, in Lee County. Andy Beshear announced $203 million in broadband investments with the promise of more to come to connect areas with no internet access or chronically slow service. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. A groundbreaking took place Monday near the County Extension Office. It relies on federal funding from the American Rescue Plan and funnels $250 million to broadband expansion in fiscal year 2021-2022, with no more than $50 million to be awarded before April 1, 2022. We look forward to working with Executive Director Sandfoss to ensure broadband access for every home and business in the Commonwealth.. . Primarily funded through county, local, and federal grant programs, the 501(c)(3) organization's CEO, Brian Mefford, aims to make broadband connections of at least 768kbit/s accessible to "100 percent of Kentucky homes." The directory of broadband audits aims to provide a transparent and accurate understanding of broadband at a city and county level as well as how we can improve it to ensure everybody receives the connection they deserve. About Better Internet The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the need for all Kentucky citizens to have high-speed, reliable internet access to stay informed and connected to school, work, family, church, health car e and other critical services. Id like to congratulate Logan Telephone Cooperative for their commitment to their rural customers, said Legg. The Office aims to improve broadband accessibility for unserved and underserved communities and populations, drive job creation, promote innovation, and expand markets for Kentucky businesses and industries, and serve the needs of Kentucky's agricultural, educational, health care, and public safety systems, governmental operations, and citizens. The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill . Broadband connectivity is a necessity to economic development, healthcare, and quality of life, and these projects will help expand that connectivity, said Legg. "And that's why we hope to partner with those folks as those fundsbecome available so that the last-mile penetration can be connected to the Accelecom/KentuckyWired super highway.". One such project, ConnectGRADD,[4] focuses upon the largely rural Green River Area Development District, consisting of Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster counties. about Kentucky's unserved and underserved broadband serviceable locations. Their fiscal courts intend to use considerable sums of coal severance and slightly smaller new debts[5] to ensure their residents have access to WISP service that meets the minimum 768kbit/s called for by the statewide program. Accelecom,Flessas said, will provide direct service for "enterprise customers," or bigger entities, like city and county governments, local school systems and health care systems. Flessas said he could not speak directly to the $50 million proposal, but said "a lot of times, those funds are targeted for last-mile access. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Ensure affordable access for all unserved & underserved. Upload reports, receive funding disbursement, and stay compliant from a singular platform. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky took a step toward closing its digital divide Monday, when Gov. "The budget includes a first-time $50 million public investment in expanding broadband to provide affordable internet connectivity to unserved and underserved areas of the state where the marketplace has determined to not be cost-effective," a 2021-2022 budget document states. His objectives are to: Unique Opportunity to Network with Broadband Systems Operators*, *Includes Telcos - Private, CLECs, ILECs; Cable Operators; Wireless Broadband Operators, Property Managers, Developers, Owners, REITs, Universities, Colleges, Equipment Manufacturers, Suppliers, Distributors, Financial Advisers, Institutions, Investors, The Leading Event for Broadband Systems Operators, Web Design and Web Development by Buildable, Improve trends in the growth of broadband adoption, Reduce the number of citizens that currently see no value in broadband, Promote Customer Demand as a key benefit and encouragement for infrastructure providers to extend Farther, Faster. Selected by Governor Andy Beshear in August, Sandfoss will begin her tenure directing the Commonwealths broadband strategy on September 16. [6] The two relatively populous areas, Owensboro and Henderson, both have local municipally-owned wireless ISPs that largely met the goals of ConnectKentucky within and near their city limits prior to its conception. Read More. Office of Broadband Development Toggle navigation. The company is matching the state grant with an investment of $260,000 for the project. 200 Mero Street, 5th Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40622. Brian E. Kiser is Executive Director at the Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Broadband Outreach and Development (COT). The Kenergy Corporation in western Kentucky, which supports the bill, unsuccessfully last year tried to receive a waiver from the Public Service Commission to bypass state law prohibiting the electric cooperative from funding a broadband-focused subsidiary. State Budget Director John Hicks is helping the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to develop its last mile broadband expansion plans, according to this local news article. State Budget Director John Hicks is helping the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to develop its last mile broadband expansion plans, according to this local news article. Due in part to the largely public nature of the program, government sponsored programs such as "No Child Left Offline," targeted at ensuring Internet access to school children, and requirements in various bidding process. Andy Beshear on Monday announced an initial round of $203 million in investments to expand broadband service as part of an ambitious effort to close Kentucky's digital divide. He has reported for public radio stations across the country from Appalachia to Alaska, most recently as a reporter for WOUB Public Media in Athens, Ohio. Kentucky Communications Network Authority. An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kentucky Communications Network Authority Created to Manage Statewide Broadband Network. Better Internet Program Grants; . When asked about how much thatentailed, Flessas said it is a "sliding scale" and that the company has a revenue sharing agreement with the commonwealth. It's free. We were honored that legislators looked at us as being last mile experts, Arnold said. LOUISVILLE, Ky.After years of delays, the KentuckyWired project is just about ready to deploy broadband to a larger base of customers and a Louisville-based company led by a former telecommunications giant executiveis planning to lead the charge. Crystal Broadband Networks Inc. was awarded a grant of $2.386 million to construct a fiber-to-the-premises network to the service area of Beverly, Kentucky, and Field, Kentucky, both in Bell County. Central Kentucky broadband expansion includes many users in Madison County. Office of Broadband Development 100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor Frankfort, KY 40601. The Authority is part of the General Government Cabinet and is administratively attached to the Office of the Governor. KCD, Inc. Finds Success<br /> in Farm-Fresh Location<br /> Technological advancements help Kentucky design<br /> firm compete with big-city competitors from their<br /> secluded farm in Williamstown.<br /> Kentucky Miners Get<br /> Connected to Healthcare<br /> Revolutionary clinic uses broadband technology to<br /> The directory of broadband audits aims to provide a transparent and accurate understanding of broadband at a city and county level as well as how we can improve it to ensure everybody receives the connection . Kentucky Broadband Office. Louisville development applications sank in 2020. The map above shows . - Editorial: Lets make sure we adopt the RIGHT national broadband policy | DSLReports.com, ISP Information", Senate testimony of ConnectKentucky CEO, April 27 2007. It's free. Careers Currently there are no job openings. So why are planners still optimistic? ConnectKentucky is a partnership of private firms and the Commonwealth of Kentucky that aims to make broadband Internet access available throughout the state. The fund is vital to the Commonwealths broader efforts to expand the infrastructure necessary to enhance broadband connectivity to unserved, rural communities. Read More. Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program, Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment: $735 MAnticipated BEAD funding. Jamie Link, the executive director of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority, the state agency that oversees KentuckyWired, said Friday the "middle-mile construction is scheduled to be . A public-private partnership with Macquarie Capital has been established to design, build, operate, and maintain the network for 30 years. Home - CTA. ", "Butthe last mile needs to be connected to the middle mile," Flessas said. Radio District Map CHAIRMAN Tom McMakin Gateway Radio Works Chairman Elect Jeff Anderson Gray Television Lexington Past Chairman Mark Buckles Heritage Media of KY Radio District 1 Jim Moore WYMC Radio District 2 Vickie Newberry Commonwealth Broadcasting Radio District 3 Ken Selvaggi ESPN Louisville Radio District 4 Roth Stratton Bardstown Radio Team Radio District 5 Tmthetom, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), "Liam Niemeyer is a reporter for the Ohio Valley Resource covering agriculture and infrastructure in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia and also serves Assistant News Director at WKMS. or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. So why are planners still optimistic? An official website of the United States government. Affecting factors include network speed and population. ", Link saidthe "revenue share from Accelcoms business activities will be dedicated to help fund the KentuckyWired project going forward.". I think we can all agree with that, Reed said. 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